State of Washington
Chief Communications Officer (EMS3/COM)
State of Washington, Walla Walla, Washington, United States
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Chief Communications Officer (EMS3/COM)
role at
State of Washington .
Overview The Chief Communications Officer (CCO) provides leadership and strategic direction to the Communications Division, comprising 36 staff, and has responsibility for the agency’s public relations, marketing, branding, and constituent relations services. The CCO leads strategic communications efforts to align with the Health Care Authority’s mission, vision, and goals. Reporting to the agency Director, the CCO serves on the Senior Leadership Team and is a senior‑level advisor on strategic and crisis communications to agency leaders and external stakeholders.
Responsibilities
Serves as the chief advisor to the Director and other executive management staff on public affairs, media relations, and internal and external communications, and is the chief liaison with the Governor’s Press Office.
Provides leadership, management, and strategic direction to the Communications Division, a team of strategic communications managers, writers, graphic designers, web content managers, videographers, social media strategists, constituent relations staff, executive support, and print services. Ensures the Division achieves long‑term goals aligned with the agency mission, vision, and strategic goals.
Sets the strategic direction for agency social media to ensure a robust and well‑branded strategy across multiple channels.
Manages internal communications policies and strategies to support employee engagement and appropriate information sharing. Produces monthly multimedia all‑staff meetings, sets vision for the agency intranet, and creates the employee newsletter.
Ensures data‑driven web content strategy, working closely with the agency’s web technology and multimedia services team to develop, maintain, and administer the agency website and SharePoint sites. Directs the creation, maintenance, and quality control of web content and serves as co‑sponsor of the agency Web Council.
Establishes and maintains relationships with the media, other state agencies, and external stakeholders. Responds to news media inquiries, proactively reaches out to media to share HCA’s story, advises executive staff on media relations, releases news to the public, and monitors the media for issues of importance to HCA.
Acts as the primary emergency point of coordination and collaboration for communications efforts with the Governor, Governor’s press and policy offices, and legislative public information staff.
Reports to the agency Director and collaborates with the Chief Medical Officer, State Medicaid Director, and other executive leaders on crisis communications and strategic messaging.
Manages telework eligibility and ensures on‑site presence as required by agency policy.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, or related field, and at least seven years of proven leadership experience managing teams and overseeing large‑scale communication strategies.
Professional mastery in effective communications; written, verbal, and presentation skills to effectively communicate with internal and external audiences.
Five years of experience in reporting or media and stakeholder relations.
Five years of experience developing, implementing, and measuring strategic communications plans.
Ability to lead a team in a unified direction.
Ability to coach employees at all career stages, remove barriers, and recognize and celebrate successes.
Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling: clear, persuasive communicator across channels.
Understanding of crisis communications principles and how to direct and provide crisis communications response.
Understanding of plain language principles.
Understanding of best practices in social media and web content strategy.
Understanding of change management principles and how to apply them to communications strategies.
Preferred Qualifications
Graduate degree in public administration, communications, public affairs, journalism, or related field.
Familiarity with government relations and policy communications.
Media or communications experience within the public sector.
Accreditation in Public Relations (APR).
How to Apply Only candidates who reflect the minimum qualifications on their NEOGOV profile will be considered. Failure to follow the application instructions may lead to disqualification.
Submit a cover letter that specifically addresses how you meet the qualifications for this position.
Attach a current resume.
Include three professional references.
Provide a DD‑214 (or equivalent) for veteran preference, if applicable.
Black out any personally identifiable information such as Social Security numbers.
Benefits & Compensation
Meaningful work with friendly co‑workers who care about community impact.
A clear agency mission that drives our work and is person‑centered.
Healthy work/life balance, including alternative/flexible schedules and mobile work options.
A competitive total compensation and benefit package (WA State Government Benefits). Tuition reimbursement, free parking, and a pleasant workplace.
EEO Statement HCA is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. HCA has five employee resource groups (ERGs). ERGs are voluntary, employee‑led groups whose aim is to foster a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned with HCA’s mission. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace.
HCA is an E‑Verify employer. All applicants with a legal right to work in the United States are encouraged to apply.
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Chief Communications Officer (EMS3/COM)
role at
State of Washington .
Overview The Chief Communications Officer (CCO) provides leadership and strategic direction to the Communications Division, comprising 36 staff, and has responsibility for the agency’s public relations, marketing, branding, and constituent relations services. The CCO leads strategic communications efforts to align with the Health Care Authority’s mission, vision, and goals. Reporting to the agency Director, the CCO serves on the Senior Leadership Team and is a senior‑level advisor on strategic and crisis communications to agency leaders and external stakeholders.
Responsibilities
Serves as the chief advisor to the Director and other executive management staff on public affairs, media relations, and internal and external communications, and is the chief liaison with the Governor’s Press Office.
Provides leadership, management, and strategic direction to the Communications Division, a team of strategic communications managers, writers, graphic designers, web content managers, videographers, social media strategists, constituent relations staff, executive support, and print services. Ensures the Division achieves long‑term goals aligned with the agency mission, vision, and strategic goals.
Sets the strategic direction for agency social media to ensure a robust and well‑branded strategy across multiple channels.
Manages internal communications policies and strategies to support employee engagement and appropriate information sharing. Produces monthly multimedia all‑staff meetings, sets vision for the agency intranet, and creates the employee newsletter.
Ensures data‑driven web content strategy, working closely with the agency’s web technology and multimedia services team to develop, maintain, and administer the agency website and SharePoint sites. Directs the creation, maintenance, and quality control of web content and serves as co‑sponsor of the agency Web Council.
Establishes and maintains relationships with the media, other state agencies, and external stakeholders. Responds to news media inquiries, proactively reaches out to media to share HCA’s story, advises executive staff on media relations, releases news to the public, and monitors the media for issues of importance to HCA.
Acts as the primary emergency point of coordination and collaboration for communications efforts with the Governor, Governor’s press and policy offices, and legislative public information staff.
Reports to the agency Director and collaborates with the Chief Medical Officer, State Medicaid Director, and other executive leaders on crisis communications and strategic messaging.
Manages telework eligibility and ensures on‑site presence as required by agency policy.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, or related field, and at least seven years of proven leadership experience managing teams and overseeing large‑scale communication strategies.
Professional mastery in effective communications; written, verbal, and presentation skills to effectively communicate with internal and external audiences.
Five years of experience in reporting or media and stakeholder relations.
Five years of experience developing, implementing, and measuring strategic communications plans.
Ability to lead a team in a unified direction.
Ability to coach employees at all career stages, remove barriers, and recognize and celebrate successes.
Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling: clear, persuasive communicator across channels.
Understanding of crisis communications principles and how to direct and provide crisis communications response.
Understanding of plain language principles.
Understanding of best practices in social media and web content strategy.
Understanding of change management principles and how to apply them to communications strategies.
Preferred Qualifications
Graduate degree in public administration, communications, public affairs, journalism, or related field.
Familiarity with government relations and policy communications.
Media or communications experience within the public sector.
Accreditation in Public Relations (APR).
How to Apply Only candidates who reflect the minimum qualifications on their NEOGOV profile will be considered. Failure to follow the application instructions may lead to disqualification.
Submit a cover letter that specifically addresses how you meet the qualifications for this position.
Attach a current resume.
Include three professional references.
Provide a DD‑214 (or equivalent) for veteran preference, if applicable.
Black out any personally identifiable information such as Social Security numbers.
Benefits & Compensation
Meaningful work with friendly co‑workers who care about community impact.
A clear agency mission that drives our work and is person‑centered.
Healthy work/life balance, including alternative/flexible schedules and mobile work options.
A competitive total compensation and benefit package (WA State Government Benefits). Tuition reimbursement, free parking, and a pleasant workplace.
EEO Statement HCA is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. HCA has five employee resource groups (ERGs). ERGs are voluntary, employee‑led groups whose aim is to foster a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned with HCA’s mission. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace.
HCA is an E‑Verify employer. All applicants with a legal right to work in the United States are encouraged to apply.
#J-18808-Ljbffr